Can science be considered a religion of modern times?

Question

Who say it's not a belief system. I believe in the system it describes

DefAmerica- I have a BSc and a MSc
not you can stop wondering

You see I believe it is a religion of modern times, because you can't prove all science. It is ultimatly theories that science is based on, theories that can be argued and conflicted, just as theology is itself . I reckon one day we'll come up with a new theory that will just blow the socks off science and other religions

Answer 1

Some people use science as a religion, just as a number of Greeks and others used mathematics as a basis for religion.

This does not mean however, that science IS a religion. It may be the basis of religion for some, but that does not mean that all scientists worship at the altar of science.

Star Wars has become the basis for a religion of "The Force", and has now a number of practitioners. Because Star Wars is the basis of that religion does not mean that Star Wars IS a religion. To some it is an entertaining series of movies, while to others it is the basis for a religion.

Likewise, science can be utilized as a a basis for religion, but that doesn't mean that science IS a religion.

Answer 2

sorry but science is not a religion, though I can see your point, for if you believe in evolution, that leads you to the cause and effect theory, but if you believe in the cause and effect theory that leads you to the Big Bang theory, if you believe in the Big Bang theory, it is only a theory, thus you have to have faith in that theory! is that the kind of thing you meant?
this is why I do not totally sign up to the BB theory, because it has yet to be verified as a scientific fact. As a person with a logical mind it has to be one of the possibilities, but using the same logic, other possibilities have to be taken into account, the theory of intervention by some Omnipotent being, also has to be accepted as one of the possibilities. There are also several other possibilities, the fact that we do not know, does not mean that we choose science as a religion, for this would be the same as faith in the bible, for it is also a common theory on creation. in short, to pigeon hole science as a faith, would be the same as Christians putting faith in God. The answers will appear to us in time, until then the rational, logical mind will make no clear judgement and no leap of faith!

Answer 3

For some people-some have a mindset that says 'science is or does ...', whereas in fact 'science' isn't one thing.
Some people think that because a scientist says something, or writes it down, then it must be true. However, apart from the fact that, in pretty much all fields, there are competing theories that are still being worked out, scientists have biases just like anyone else.
Some people will accept things that are said because they do not want to look into it for themselves.

Answer 4

Who created science?

We should all believe in science, but some people believe that its Gods method of creating and structuring everything. Science proves miracles in themselves, take the structure of DNA for example.....the complicity of it leaves you in absolute AWE. Could this really have been an accidental occurance?

Believing in facts leaves many gaps especially with the fact that not all science has been discovered yet, and if science is what made us be then why doesn't it have a complete control over us.

What gave us our EMOTIONS? Our MIND? Our SOUl?

Answer 5

Yes I do, it can be used by people as the be all end all, as the explanation on what is true, false, right wrong what is moral or not. why we are here, what future holds etc. don't they try to predict many years into the future? we will be hit by astroroid in the next 40 years or whatever, the earth will be so hot in fifty or 100 years we will cease to exist or whatever. is that not the realm of prophets? did not jesus say there will be false prophets? did he necessarily mean just false prophets with regard to scriptural accounts and laws and principles? what makes one a false prophet? is that not one who claims to know the future based on his or her own merits or abilities when in fact they are just guessing?

does that mean science is bad? no, it means it must stay within it's place that it was originally intended, learning about the world how things work making safe products or better medicines etc but never claiming it knows everything in absolutes or that it is not open to debate or opposite consenses.it must never be allowed to hinder dissent or dissagreements on things, it must never be seen by people as God that would never make mistakes or deliberatly be abused for the sake of power or money or whatever. it must be honest in it's intentions and apprasals of things. it must always act and tell people it is only human and it is open to debate and not to be taken as 100 percent fact when dealing with things like global warming, the astroide or even health conditions they really don't know 100 percent on everything.

trouble is science is sometimes used as an absolute by those in power to manipulate and control people (get them to pass co2 taxes, or take this medication for his condition, or to drive or live this way or that to save themselves or the enviroment so as to create a market or increase profits for some special interest etc.) it must always be remembered it may have the truth on the matter but never is it God, never should it convey itself as infallible. it must constantly remind people of these facts, that they are pretty sure of this or that, evidence points to this or that but it is still being studied, etc.

RRRRR

Answer 6

Belief in science as truth is very much religion.

Practice of science through experimentation, and the use of science to achieve goals (like building computers, bridges, communication systems or whatever) is not.

Answer 7

As you said, a new theory can blow the socks off an old one, thats the difference for me, religion sticks to its dogma not matter how ludicrous.

Answer 8

It is hard to believe so many people have no clue as to what terms like modernism and post-modernism mean. It is even harder to believe that some people are so ill-informed as to say science is the anti-religion.

Science is simply our way of understanding our world. God gave us the ability and curiosity to explore and describe it, and I believe we please him when we use these abilities.

People who fear and hate science because they believe it conflicts with their religious beliefs are just like the Catholic hierarchy that persecuted Galileo. They just fear what they don't understand and they fear change. These people are not Christians, they are just pious control freaks.

Answer 9

Greetings!

There was Science in Ancient Times, and, as "Religion" means to "re-link" to a person, place, thing,or event, then it has been a "Religion" for thousands of years.

/!\

Answer 10

No!

Sam Harris said it well, as was recently posted by the Rev.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqEpJ5s9XHQuJ6oFUKUvZ1bsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20070928082009AAKDxvA

"When we have reasons for what we believe, we have no need of faith; when we have no reasons, or bad ones, we have lost our connection to the world and to one another. Atheism is nothing more than a commitment to the most basic standard of intellectual honesty: One’s convictions should be proportional to one’s evidence. Pretending to be certain when one isn’t--indeed, pretending to be certain about propositions for which no evidence is even conceivable--is both an intellectual and a moral failing. Only the atheist has realized this. The atheist is simply a person who has perceived the lies of religion and refused to make them his own."